Chapter 10: Crossing Boundaries
394 Words
Elena and Kellan pushed deeper into the woods, the underbrush thickening around them as the sun dipped lower in the sky. The light faded, replaced by long shadows that stretched ominously. Elena could feel the energy around her pulsing with urgency, guiding her steps as she honed in on the elusive presence of the rogue werewolf.
“I can sense something,” Elena murmured, her heart racing. She turned her body, instinctively knowing it was coming from the right. “This way!”
Kellan nodded, his demeanor shifting from confident leader to focused protector. “Stay alert. If we find the rogue, we have to be ready for anything.”
As they moved, the silence of the forest deepened, creating an eerie stillness that hung in the air. But Elena felt a crackle of energy guiding her as if the very trees were whispering, urging her to continue. Suddenly, a low growl sent chills down her spine, freezing her in her tracks.
“There,” she said, pointing ahead. “It’s close.”
Kellan crouched down, urging her to do the same. They crept forward, careful not to disturb the underbrush. Before them, the shadows twisted, and the rogue materialized—its eyes glowing with a wild hunger. The wolf was lean and disheveled, its fur matted, showing signs of neglect and desperation.
“Elena,” Kellan whispered, “do you think it’s the same one that attacked the livestock?”
Elena wasn’t sure, but she could sense the creature’s turmoil. It wasn’t just anger—it was a deep sadness, almost as if it were trapped in a state of madness. The rogue snarled, baring its teeth, but as Elena took a step forward, the beast halted, its eyes locking onto hers.
“Stop!” she called, grounding herself with the energy of the forest. “I’m not here to hurt you!”
Kellan placed a hand on her shoulder, torn between concern for her safety and the instinct to protect her. “Elena, be careful. We don’t know what it’s capable of.”
But Elena felt drawn to the wolf, sensing that there was more hidden beneath its ferocity. “I can help you,” she said, her voice softer now. “I can feel your pain. You don’t have to fight.”
The rogue’s growl quieted, confusion flickering in its eyes.
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